World Trade Organisation

EDM number 193 in 1999-00, proposed by David Chaytor on 14/12/1999.

That this House congratulates the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on calling for a reform of the World Trade Organisation following the Seattle Conference; recognises that the United Kingdom is uniquely placed to take on a leading role in reforming the World Trade Organisation through its membership of the European Union and its close relationship with developing countries in the Commonwealth; believes that World Trade Organisation reform should be pursued in conjunction with the Chancellor of the Exchequer's plans for modernisation of the IMF and the World Bank; further believes that such reform should lead to the creation of a framework for capacity-building to enable genuine participation in negotiations by parliamentarians, developing countries and non-governmental organisations; and urges the Government to build a new consensus in favour of a global trading system which seeks to reconcile the need for autonomy and self-sufficiency within developing countries, the recognition of international environmental treaties and minimum labour standards, the conservation of natural resources, a balance of rights and responsibilities within multinational corporations, and an appropriate balance of power between multinational corporations and democratically elected governments.

This motion has been signed by a total of 74 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.